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Locals can be excellent tour guides. Here’s how to hire one

How ‘citizen guides’ can bring insight and intrigue to your next journey

A few years ago, Ruth Sadur and her boyfriend were supposed to travel together to Bali,   Indonesia . When he had to cancel at the last minute, Sadur wanted help navigating the trip. Her hotel connected her with De Yudha Herdyana, a local guide, who thought her itinerary was too generic. Instead, he ferried her to tourist-free rice paddies, uncrowded beaches, and restaurants with menus in Balinese that he translated. “It was one of my best travel days,” says the Melbourne, Australia , childcare worker. “He felt like my friend by the end of it.”

Herdyana is a citizen guide, a savvy resident whose small group tours can give travelers a fresh, often inexpensive introduction to a new place. Tourists have long connected with private guides, but internet-driven companies such as ToursByLocals and Airbnb Experiences are introducing younger travelers to more personalized, locally connected experiences by creating platforms where citizen guides can offer their services.  

( Delve into the Indigenous women upending Canada’s tourism industry .) Some experiences are unconventional, to say the least: A kayak trip down the Nile to see Cairo, Egypt ; a hike with a herd of goats in Death Valley, California . Some tours are more conventional, of course. You can always see Pompeii, Italy, with an archaeologist or Washington, D.C. ’s Georgetown with a historian .  

“But these guides can take you to more places in less time than when you are alone with your Lonely Planet book and a brochure from the tourist information office,” says Núria Galí Espelt, who studies tourism as an art history professor at the University of Girona.

Here’s why citizen guides have become more common, what kind of experiences and insider information they offer, and how to hire one during your next trip.

A personalized approach to tours

As tourism became a major economic driver in the 20th and 21st centuries, mass options were created to cater to crowds. Flat bottom boats ( bateaux mouches ) with prerecorded spiels launched in Paris in the mid 20th-century; hop-on, hop-off tour buses cruised the streets nearly everywhere by the 1980s; and jumbo cruise ship excursions now herd hordes around historic sites from Venice to Mexico . Somewhere along the way, guided tours earned a rep for being stodgy, sites-by-the-numbers itineraries.

Private guides had long been available to the wealthy or connected. But as travel information moved increasingly online in the early 21st century, suddenly anyone could turn up details on foodie walks around Porto, Portugal , or Google Shop Hop BA , which leads one-on-one visits to the crafts ateliers and vintage shops of Buenos Aires, Argentina . Multiple surveys find that people, especially Millennials and Generation Zers, enjoy paying for experiences more than spending money on material items.

( Read about the pioneering tour guides showing Afghanistan to the world. ) These specialty tours or private guides can have deeper connections and knowledge about the places where they operate, resulting in more bespoke trips for small groups or single travelers.   “Guides bring the spirit of the destination to life in a unique way,” says Nikki Hellyer, of ToursbyLocals. “In some cases, they’ve got generations of family there, plus unique stories and access to different things.”  

A guide can act as a hired friend-for-a-day, helping you see a place better and doling out mundane-but-useful information—how to navigate the New York City subway, where to buy groceries in   Berlin .   The experience often transcends a simple work-for-hire arrangement: The artist who shows you the many street murals of Lima, Peru , might invite you to a gallery opening after your tour; that bike trip leader in Copenhagen can fill you in on the city’s cycle lane rules and tell you where to grab a post-ride beer.

How to get your guide

The old-school way to find a local guide is to ask your hotel, and it’s still valid. But you can also search for guides and experiences via ToursbyLocals; the pay-what-you-want Free Tours by Foot ; or Airbnb Experiences, which launched in 2016 as a companion to the lodging listings company. The last offers some 40,000 options in 1,000 cities, ranging from walking tours of downtown Sydney, Australia , to surfing lessons in Los Angeles to exploring an abandoned missile silo in Kansas .

Citizens-on-the-street also headline with walking tour companies in major cities including the long-running, English-guided Paris Walks and Washington, D.C.’s history-focused   Washington Walks . If you have very specific interests (pottery in Spain , Shakespeare in London ), check with your destination’s official visitors bureau. Or try a Google search using your interest, destination, and the word “tour” to turn up specialized experiences such as Tokyo Ramen Tours or New York City   Jewish history tours . Just because a tour is private does not mean it costs more. Prices vary from place to place, but especially for family or friends traveling together, a private trip can be cheaper than joining a big bus or giant group walking tour.  

What it takes to be a guide

In some countries or cities, tour guides must receive special training and get certified; in other places and cases, guides are professional historians, passionate foodies, or just residents who are deeply plugged into their hometowns.  

What makes a standout one is their ability to interact with strangers and impart their knowledge in memorable ways. Deirdre Harman, a ToursByLocals guide in Dingle,   Ireland , sometimes sings or speaks in Gaelic when showing people churches and other spiritual sites. “You can read all about a place, but good guides can grow peoples’ imaginations,” she says. “We draw them into the experience.” ( Discover your next great vacation via TikTok .) For travelers, a guide can be both make a trip more meaningful and reveal what it’s really like to live in a given place. Take Jorteh Senah, a New York-based tech worker who visited Cairo, Egypt, recently. Short on time, he hired an Airbnb Experiences guide, Bakr Ghoniem.  

Ghoniem picked him up from the airport and whisked him to see—and photograph—the pyramids and the Sphinx far from the crowds. “Bakr was very social media savvy,” says Senah. “He knew how to capture the angles.” Over tea, Ghoniem told Senah about what his life was like in Cairo beyond the ancient monuments and souvenir hawkers. “It turned into a real conversation,” says Senah. “It was a cultural experience on so many levels.”

HOW TO FIND CITIZEN GUIDES

Related topics.

• CULTURAL TOURISM
• FOOD TOURISM
• WALKING TOURS
• CITY GUIDES

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Private Tour Guides Are a Godsend!

Whether you are an experienced traveler or a first-timer, private tour guides can really be a Godsend. The most reliable way to find yourself an excellent licensed private guide is RIGHT HERE!

All licensed guides listed here have been verified and have had years of guiding experience. Check the reviews of licensed private tour guides of your travel destination and we assure you that you will find a perfect licensed private guide to make your journey a lifetime experience.     Read More >>

Reasons People Hire a Private Tour Guide

• Not Having Too Much Time  Let’s say you are at the end of a business trip and have a few hours to spare before boarding your plane, or as a leisure traveler you want to maximize a long layover, or maybe you are on a cruise visiting ports but don’t want to follow the hordes coming off the ship to places, not in your interest. You will discover that hiring a local licensed private tour guide is an incredibly smart and convenient way to make the most of your time.
• Visiting Places Considered Dangerous, Historical, or Extremely Popular If the place of your interest happens to be a bit dangerous or chaotic, a local licensed private guide knows where to skip, what to avoid, when to stop or leave, and how to keep you safe while introducing you to the fun the place has to offer. In the case of an extremely popular spot, your private licensed guide guarantees you a great time by choosing the right hours, the lower prices, and the suitable transportation to visit places of your interests. Also, many places of historical, cultural or religious importance require that an official tour guide conducts the tour. For example, in Vatican City, your licensed guide is also an official Vatican tour guide whose experience and vast knowledge immerses you in the rich history and the magnificence of Vatican.
• Expecting a Potential Language Barrier It can be very frustrating not able to communicate with people in the places of your visit. Therefore, a local private tour guide will not only be guiding you around but also be your translator. You will be surprised how fun it can be with you on one side and the locals on the other while your guide translates Q&A back and forth.
• On Hiking, Adventure, or a Nature Trip Even if you are an expert in these activities, it's still a good idea to hire a local private tour guide to help you navigate an unfamiliar place, to point you to things that uninformed eyes don't see, or to keep you out of the way of poisonous animals and plants.
• Wanting a Temporary Companion or Having Someone Drive You Sometimes when you are on a long trip alone, you might feel to have someone to talk to. What better than the companionship of a local licensed guide? No matter how long your stay is, he/she shows you around, tells you stories of the locals, gives you company, or drives for you as he/she introduces the history and the beauty of places you wish to visit.
• Traveling With Elders or Small Kids Yes, it’s family time together. It will be fun and enjoyable! But, it can be tiring as well. Let a local licensed private tour guide take care of the details and hassles to ensure you have a quality time with your family on the road. Your guide provides a safe and comfortable transportation to places according to your preferences and pace.

Advantages of Having a Licensed Private Guide

Time-saving: No matter how long your stay is, having your private tour guide will assure that you never waste time getting lost or missing your flight while having great fun.

Hassle-free: Your tour will be absolutely hassle-free if you have a licensed private tour guide handling all the bookings, purchasing tickets to museums/palaces, arranging transportation or extra cares for special needs.

Flexible: Based on your schedule and interests, you will have the flexibility to tailor the tour and add activities. During the trip from the conversation, your licensed private tour guide can get a good sense of your personality and may recommend you something that will add extra flavour to your tour.

First-hand insider information: Your private tour guide gives you a lot of insider information that you otherwise wouldn’t get if you visited places by yourself. He or she has a lot of stories, anecdotes, and history to impart.

Worth every penny spent: When you factor in the one-on-one attention, individuality, privateness, flexibility, and expertise you will receive, touring with a licensed private tour guide is actually much cheaper than traveling by yourself.

Sources of Getting a Local Licensed Private Tour Guide

• As with most things, finding a right private tour guide is the key!
• If you want a list of local guides, go to the local tourism offices. But, it is just a list.
• Guidebooks sometimes do add some listing of guides as a reference. But, it is just a reference.
• Maybe you get a recommendation from a friend of yours who has been there before and used a guide. But, it is just one person’s judgment.

The most reliable way to find yourself an excellent licensed private guide is RIGHT HERE!

All licensed guides listed here have been verified and have had years of guiding experience. Check the reviews of licensed private tour guides of your travel destination and we assure you that you will find a perfect licensed private guide to make your journey a lifetime experience.

Indeed, private tour guides are a Godsend!

18 Best Websites & Apps to Find Local Tour Guides

• 5 Pinterest

If you are looking at this page you are probably looking for recommendations on where to find local tour guides . There are many websites and apps where you can book local tour guides and can sometimes be difficult to find. To save you some time, we have curated a list of websites in order to help you find the best local tour guides who will surely give you an enriching experience.

Websites to Find Local Tour Guides – Worldwide

For an even more convenient way to find local tour guides and compare their deals, check out TourScanner !

• Find local tour guides

Don’t hesitate to comment below if you wish to recommend other websites for local tour guides. Wishing you an excellent time and travel safe!! 🙂

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When To Hire A Travel Guide

While hiring a travel guide might not be your usual go-to, in some situations, it is the way to go..

A travel guide is someone who is hired to guide you either to, at or through your destination(s). Travel guides are oftentimes people who not only train for the position, but live in the city or area, and live like locals because they are locals!

Travel experiences curated by locals are always more beneficial than those that are not, because they know those tips and tricks you won’t be able to search for online. They also know of the best spots to get the most out of your money, which tours or excursions are worth it, and where to eat and stay.

Just like opening up your favorite Frommer’s guide or your favorite apps, travel guides are knowledgable of places that are new to you and great resources for while you’re there!

Here is our guide to when you should hire a travel guide.

Hire a travel guide when you have no time to plan.

Many tours with guides are already planned and most, if not all, will show you the entire itinerary before you book. If you are having any reservations about this, call or email the tour guide and discuss what is planned for the trip. This is also a great time to find out if the plans are flexible and rearrangeable.

Hire a travel guide when visiting a popular destination or major city of interest.

You might get good deals or discounts by booking with a group or tour guide vs. buying a single ticket and wandering through something yourself. Always research! 📝

Hire a travel guide when there is a strong language barrier.

If language is one of those aspects of travel that worries or concerns you, then don’t think twice about hiring a guide.

Hire a travel guide when you are traveling to a new part of the world that you haven’t been to.

Did you know you cannot chew gum in Singapore? Or that you should avoid stepping on money in Thailand? Both of these can get you in some serious trouble and possibly even jail time. No one wants that while traveling, so hiring a travel guide for tips like this is important.

Similar to a new area, hire a travel guide if you are visiting possibly dangerous places or areas.

Hire a travel guide when you’ve already visited your destination.

Hire a travel guide to help you experience things differently and maybe take you on a more specific tour of the city or area. In some cases, you may not have seen the typical tourist attractions or done the typical tourist excursions. They aren’t everyone’s cup of tea!

But if you are looking to experience some of the tourist attractions, then hiring a guide is a great way to do it.

Hire a travel guide when you are looking for something specific(or not).

On the other hand, hire a tour guide if you just want to go, and don’t want to worry about details. If you are looking for a general idea of an area, the food, culture, and sights, then a travel guide is perfect for you. It takes away the worry and stress of planning your own trip but ensures you’ll still have an amazing experience. All you have to do is pack! 👜

Hire a travel guide for longer journeys and stays.

You’ll most likely learn the best way to move around the city, where to eat, stay, and spend your time. At the end of the trip, a travel guide is super helpful because if you’ve gone to all the tourist attractions, you’re looking for those special parts of the city that go deeper than the surface.

Look for travel and tour guides across the world on Viator , which offers a wide variety of tours and excursions with guides. Also, consider GetYourGuide . A few resources for finding quality local travel guides include ToursByLocals and Showaround .

Now that you’ve seen our list of when you need to hire a travel guide, what do you think? Did we miss any instances? Leave us a comment below!

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Private Guide in Japan: How to choose the Right English-speaking Guide

We, at Kanpai, have been collecting and publishing helpful information on how to prepare and enjoy trips to Japan for a long time, and we are aware that there are as many different ways to appreciate Japan as there are types of travelers.

Additionally, our community is made of members who like searching for the most accurate information and share relatable visit tips, especially on Kotaete , our community forum space.

What are the benefits of hiring a tour guide in Japan?

Even with thorough preparation, one of the best ways to enjoy a trip is to be accompanied by a local Japanese and English-speaking guide.

Many simple reasons are in favor of hiring a guide:

• To overcome the language barrier . As many Japanese struggle to speak English (nor any other foreign language), and allows for an unrivaled perspective of the country compared to traveling alone;
• Tour guides facilitate to make your visits enjoyable to the fullest : They know the places to discover (sometimes hidden from tourists), uninteresting or overrated places, and shortcuts to optimize your time of visits and see as much as possible;
• Having a guide makes the visit comfortable , as there is no need to worry about logistics or the itinerary;
• Polyglot expats or Japanese guides offer an exceptional experience sharing their sharp insight of Japan with you and can act as interpreters while interacting with locals on the spot.

With a good guide, it really is possible to save time, stress, and money!

Select your guide

When it comes to guiding services, because the varying types and levels run the gamut, it is complicated to separate the wheat from the chaff.

The Licensed Tour Guide

The first natural move might be to look for a Japanese government licensed tour guide.

There are a few thousand, most of them of Japanese citizenship. There are very few foreign guides as the exam is quite hard and the knowledge required is similar to an absurd cramming (as a ridiculous example, examinees can be asked who the Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe was in 1973). On the other hand, foreign language usage is not as thorough as it should be, especially regarding the speaking part, according to many testimonies. It came to be sometimes considered an overrated certification and it seems that Japanese government intends to reform it in the near future.

However, the biggest disadvantage might be the guides’ lack of flexibility, as they will most probably want to stick to their set itinerary. Japanese licensed guides usually don’t create custom tours for their clients but they have a set route, with a tight schedule, and they unfold a history class routine speech, which can be boring. Notwithstanding the fact that their English proficiency might not be the best. Their rates are very expensive: up to ¥40 or 50,000 (~US$324.00) for a half a day tour, and it usually doesn’t include their meal or transportation fees!

We have tried such guided tours too, but we felt it was rather overpriced for an overall, unpleasant experience.

The Volunteer Guide

On the opposite spectrum, the volunteer or goodwill guide, is a good fit for low budget trips, and especially sought after by young travelers.

As a consequence, their availability is very limited (often only on the weekends) and private tours are out of the question. As they do not provide a contracted service, it is not possible to secure the tour date or to complain if the service is not of the expected quality or even abruptly canceled.

Oftentimes, these Japanese volunteers characteristically guide as a layman: Impossible to be sure if they are indeed citing accurate facts or not. Most of them are nice students or elderly persons and they tend to use guiding activity to practice a foreign language. So in the end, you might find yourself to be the one accompanying them for their benefit!

Note that while the guidance is free of cost, you will still have to pay for the volunteer’s meals, transportation and admission fees.

The Expatriate Freelance Guide

It has increasingly been easy to find expats freelancing as guides on the Internet  📶 over the last years. However, many of them are foreigners who married Japanese citizens and have a hard time finding a fixed or long-term job in Japan, mainly due to their lack of suitable Japanese-language proficiency.

The last point is the most problematic: How is it possible to label oneself a professional guide when not being able to read a map, a sign or a restaurant menu properly, discuss with locals on any subject or ask for information in Japanese? Moreover, they, too, often have their own set itinerary and don’t try to personalize the experience.

Beware of hidden fees as well: The displayed rates, often attractive, can double when adding the guide’s meal expenses, transportation and admission fees or if you want a private tour.

Lastly, be aware of the fact that these "freelancing guides" may be working undeclared from the Japanese authorities and without insurance, a reason for them to require a payment in cash only.

Particularities between June and September 2022

Since June 10, 2022 and the steady influx of tourism back in Japan, choosing a guide is an even more important matter.

The Japanese government indeed required that the guide accompanying the travelers be at least a Tenjoin , that is to say "Certified National Tour Conductor". Obviously, 99 % of the volunteers or freelancers don’t have such certification, and additionally certified guides are now required to work in cooperation with a travel agency. This requirement has been lifted on September 7, but it shows how important it is to check a guide's credentials for a travel in Japan .

Our Recommendation: Keikaku

We believe that an established and registered travel agency can offer one of the best experiences for guided tours in the archipelago, including safety and quality. Of course, good guides can be found everywhere, but authorized and registered travel agents are submitted to regulations that guarantee their staff and guides’ professional skills collectively.

Kanpai thus recommends Keikaku , whose team of bilingual guides in Japan organizes private guided tours in the most attractive destinations:

• Tokyo , the must-see capital, from which access is easy to Kamakura , Nikko and Hakone ;
• Kyoto , the traditional city, close to Nara , Osaka , Koya-san or Himeji ;
• An airport guidance service, in three of the busiest airports in Japan: Narita, Haneda and Kansai Airport.

Click on the Keikaku logo below to discover their services:

Keikaku is a human-sized travel agency managing a great group of certified guides in Japan, able to cater to any needs, with a friendly customer centered approach.

High-end but affordable guiding services are provided, with rates varying according to the tour length and / or to the number of participants: from ¥5,000 (~US$32.40) per person. And there are no hidden fees as Keikaku guides’ expenditures (meal, transportation and admission fees) are all included.

Their availability calendar is updated in real time and helps decide the most favorable dates for a tour, with lengths ranging from half a day, and up to three consecutive days, and even evening tours.

It is even possible to contact them to arrange a guide for the entire length of your stay in Japan.

What is a guided tour like with Keikaku?

The secret of a good guided tour lies in its preparation.

Each reservation with Keikaku is private and the guide will create your tour according to your needs, before your arrival in Japan. You will exchange with them by e-mail to explain what you want to do and decide on an itinerary and it is even possible to talk with the guide beforehand via Whatsapp, Skype or other video apps.

On the day of the tour, the guide will come to pick you up at your accommodation. In addition to the guidance, they can help you to get your JR Pass , order train  🚅 tickets and, of course, tell you many anecdotes about life in Japan.

Discover Keikaku

It is strongly advised to place a reservation on your preferred tour dates as soon as possible, as Keikaku guides are often booked well in advance, especially for peak touristic seasons ( April , August , October , etc.) or holidays periods. Fortunately, it is possible to place a reservation up to 12 months in advance, to ensure getting your preferred dates.

Let’s follow the guide!

• Flights and Airports
• Accommodation
• Transportation
• Internet & Phones
• Budget and money
• Japanese Food
• Visit with Kids
• Seasons: spring / summer / autumn / winter
• Weather forecast
• Time in Japan
• Holidays & Festivals
• Natural Disasters
• Customs and Duties
• Works and Closures
• From April 29 to 5 May -- Japanese Golden Week
• May 12 -- Mother's Day in Japan
• June 6 -- Beginning of the rainy season (Tsuyu) in Japan
• June 21 -- Summer starts in Japan
• From July 1 to 31 -- Gion Matsuri Festival in Kyoto with float processions on July 17 and 24
• July 1 -- Season start for climbing Mount Fuji
• Tokyo : Shinjuku , Shibuya , Harajuku , Asakusa , Akihabara , Odaiba , Ikebukuro , Ueno , Roppongi , Chiyoda , Ryogoku ...
• Around Tokyo: Kamakura , Nikko , Hakone , Mount Fuji , Mount Takao , Yokohama ...
• Kansai: Kyoto , Nara , Osaka , Mount Koya , Himeji , Kobe , Kinosaki , Kumano Kodo , Ise ...
• Japanese Alps: Kanazawa , Matsumoto , Takayama , Shirakawa-go , Nakasendo ...
• West: Hiroshima , Miyajima , Shikoku , Onomichi , Naoshima , Izumo , Kurashiki , Matsue ...
• South: Kyushu , Okinawa , Yakushima ...
• North: Hokkaido , Tohoku ...

• Temples and Shrines
• Gardens and Parks
• Hiking and Trekking
• Observation Decks
• Public Baths (Onsen and Sento)
• Festivals (Matsuri)
• Amusement Parks
• Visit on a Budget / Luxury

Keikaku is a travel agency specialist of Japan and providing different kind of services:

• Japan Rail Pass
• English speaking Guides
• Pocket Wi-fi
• Japan Nightlife
• Working in Japan
• Religion and Spirituality
• Arts and History
• Movies / Animated Movies
• Japanese Music
• Studio Ghibli
• Photos / Videos
• Weird Japan
• Translations
• Kana & Kanji
• Japanese Swear Words
• Honorific Suffixes (san, kun, chan...)
• Introducing yourself
• Thank you / Apologize
• Count / Say Your Age
• Say the Date / Tell the Time
• Happy birthday
• Enjoy Your Meal
• Writing your name

Kanas are the much-needed basic characters of written Japanese language. Memorize them at a fast pace with our method.

Ask any kind of question and share your knowledge about Japan in Kanpai’s community space, our Q&A section Kotaete.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

6 Reasons To Consider Hiring A Private Tour Guide On Your Next Trip

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We’ve been fortunate enough to travel around the world. In some places, we’ve grabbed books or online guides to help inform our vacation agenda, but in others, we’ve shelled out the money for a private tour guide.

Here are six reasons you might want to consider taking the plunge and hiring a guide on your next travel adventure.

1. They Can Help You Navigate A Major Language Barrier

We’re big fans of learning a few words in the language of whatever country is next on our list: “Please” and “thank you” at the very least are musts in our minds. No one wants to be rude when they are away from home, experiencing another place.

That said, sometimes there are enormous language barriers that can be alleviated with the assistance of a local guide. For example, I studied French in high school and college and could cobble together coherent sentences when we were in Paris . The Romance languages are similar enough that I could do the same in Spain and Italy. But Budapest and Istanbul were another story — the words and sentence structure were just too different for me to wrap my brain around. In both of these cities, we opted for a guide who helped us navigate the first couple of days on the ground, and it made a huge difference.

2. They’ll Point Out Cultural Differences

A guide can be a huge help when there are significant cultural differences between the place you’re traveling and what you’re used to at home. For instance, they can tell you what to wear — or what not to wear.

Our guide in Istanbul let me know when and where I’d need to cover my head so as to be mindful of religious traditions and not stand out as a tourist. He also explained why we should always accept invitations to tea (not doing so among friends is rude; Turks make time for hospitality).

A guide in China explained that leaving chopsticks upright in my bowl was a big faux pas, since food offerings are made to the dead in that manner.

Having someone on hand to help you understand these differences can be well worth the cost.

3. They’ll Make Sure You Have A Hassle-Free Time

This is a factor that can make a big difference in your trip — and one that might not immediately come to mind. Many guides have access to advance admission tickets to the biggest must-sees on your list. This means you’ll get to skip the line and walk right in, saving you both time and hassle.

A good guide will also take the guesswork out of dining, since they know where the locals go to eat (and their favorite dishes!). We’ve noshed at hidden gems around the world that we would never have known were there if it weren’t for our guides.

These folks are also in the know when it comes to transportation, and they’ll tell you how to get where you want to be, safely and swiftly. Guides we’ve hired have helped us navigate public transportation to the point where we felt comfortable enough to take it on our own.

All of these perks add up to a lot of convenience — plus less worry and guesswork — when you’re on your trip.

4. They Can Design A Trip That’s Perfect For You

While we love to hit the road, there’s no denying that new places can be overwhelming and tough to navigate — literally and figuratively. Hiring a guide, especially if you’re traveling solo, can boost your confidence and comfort level during the experience. A good guide will take the time to figure out what’s important to you on vacation and will tailor your time together to those preferences.

Think of it this way: It’s a bit like having a local friend who will make sure you have a good time, hit all the highlights, and find the hidden gems as well. And in the very unlikely case of an emergency, they will be able to help you get assistance quickly and efficiently.

5. They’ll Tell You Everything You Want To Know About A Destination

Have you ever been on vacation, spied something interesting, and wondered exactly what it was, or why it was relevant? We certainly have! We are nosy when we travel. In order to really wring every last drop out of our trip, we want to know what we are looking at, who created it, its cultural context, and what the locals think of it. We apply this philosophy to everything — from a memorial in a courtyard to graffiti on a wall to a painting hanging in a museum.

A private guide can provide this information; they’re like your own personal curator. They’re there to answer any questions you might have about their city, region, and country. So, ask away! You’ll get an insider’s view and more knowledge than you thought possible.

6. They Can Direct You To The Best Shopping Opportunities

Part of what makes travel so much fun is finding souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones. They will remind you of your trip for decades to come, or let others know you were thinking of them along the way.

Unless you really do your homework, finding quality items from reputable local artisans can be tough. But a guide can steer you toward crafts that are unique to their town, from moldavite jewelry and marionettes in Prague to the best paprika in Budapest and Iznik ceramics in Istanbul. True, they might be getting small kickbacks, but we haven’t minded because we’d rather pay for good quality instead of cheap trinkets not even made in the country we visited. Trust us: Your guide can be a great shopping assistant!

Despite all the benefits we’ve detailed above, it can be strange to basically invite a stranger into your vacation to take an active role. We’ve always found it to be a great experience and the best way to really dig in to a new city or country. If you are willing to make a new friend on your travels and trust them to make your time together special, then you’ll likely find that hiring a guide is completely worth the money.

We understand that not everyone is as gregarious as we are, so if you’d rather not socialize with someone new on vacation, the splurge might not be worth it for you.

A Few Things To Keep In Mind Before Hiring A Private Tour Guide

First, go through a recommended, reputable company. A quick online search will give you a feel for the offerings in a city and what fellow travelers have to say about their service. Many countries license their tour guides to ensure quality, and we’ve had terrific luck with agencies that employ university history majors as their guides.

Second, make sure that you have a full accounting of how your time will be spent each day you’re with your guide. Make sure that your admission tickets are indeed included in the daily cost, and make sure you meet with your guide — perhaps over breakfast or coffee on your first day — to discuss what’s most important for you to see or do.

Last, don’t forget to tip generously for good service. If you have engaged a guide for multiple days, tip at the end of your time together. Also consider paying for your guide’s meal when you stop to eat — they will appreciate it!

Communication done well has always been Erika’s career focus. She’s served as a publicist and PR expert for several non-profit organizations based in St. Louis. Prior to that, she was an Emmy Award–winning television newscast producer.

When she’s not training for her next race or packing for another trip, you’ll find Erika hanging out with her husband, son, and personal zoo, which includes a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, two cats, and a grumpy pygmy hedgehog.

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รับสมัครฟรีแลนซ์มัคคุเทศก์ (ภาษาต่างประเทศ) เข้ามาร่วมทีมทำงานกับเรา  กด

Your Thai Guide

see Thailand differently with a private tour guide

Travel with your own private Thai tour guide and enjoy a customized sightseeing tour suited to your personal tastes.

From as little as US$104 a day you can have fully licensed English speaking Thai tour guide at your side to explain, translate and help you understand what you are seeing and hearing during your stay.

Karen N. reviews Prayut ‘Yuut’ Rueangsaeng

Two guides, both amazing!

I had two free days in Bangkok. One day I had guide “Nina” and the other day I had guide “Yuut”.

Nina was like a best friend I’d not met yet; she was super friendly and personable and took great care to ensure I was happy with our day together.

Yuut was very knowledge about temple and Buddhism, given that he was a monk for 10 years.

I enjoyed both days with both guides immensely. Also, communications from Num at the office were great.

Highly recommend!

Hector I. reviews Charinee ‘Oil’ Jitburus

My day started with the tour guide being on time and telling me about our plan for the day, as we arrived to the tiger zoo it was great since I was the first one there.

We then went to go eat and had a great lunch meal.

Our driver was great as well.

I would like to give thanks to both my guide and driver for making my day great.

Provided excellent service.

Dan D. reviews Pudtipong ‘Jean’ Nawasornyuttana

We booked Jean using the website. This was very easy to do and emails were answered is a reasonable timeframe.

Jean met us at our hotel and we headed out to see the sights we had previously mentioned we wanted to see. Jean’s English was very good. He had lots of interesting things to tell us about Bangkok, the culture and the history as we made our way around Bangkok during the day, he also picked out a good place for lunch.

I am really pleased we used a guide for visiting the sites, not knowing much about the history or culture it made it much more interesting than if we had gone on our own. Also as first time visitors it was much easier to get to all the places we wanted to visit than trying to work it out ourselves.

Andrew C. reviews Prapaiporn ‘Peach’ Honghem

We had a wonderful day and Peach our guide showed us the highlights of Bangkok using the trains, boats, Tuk Tuk’s and walking.

She was very knowledgeable and friendly and tailored the tour to meet our needs.

We would highly recommend Peach and this tour.

Abbie M. reviews Waree ‘Apple’ Singhanart

I’m impressed, elated, and honored to leave my first impression feedback for Apple today. Apple is a special young lady, she has an amazing soul and the ability to connect with people on an intellectual and spiritual level.

I believe I was analyzed by Apple about 30 minutes into us meeting and she quickly discerned my personality and was able to recommend places that I never would have thought to go.

Prior to that I had an idea of the things I wanted to see and was accommodated but I am glad that I also had enough faith in my friend Apple to lead the way to hidden gems in Bangkok not in any tourist handbook.

Hanging out with Apple all day was like hanging out with a long lost friend! She really made me feel very special and was intuitively attentive to my needs.

My tour guide the day prior was Joker who was also exceptional and amazing, and provided wonderful information.

Again, I really appreciate meeting the amazing tour guides because they reflect wonderfully on this company.

I will definitely not only recommend this company to anybody I know coming to Bangkok but would most certainly call when I am back in Thailand in March next year.

I hope to secure Apple for my tour guide again, she is that amazing!!

Juliette W. reviews Charinee ‘Oil’ Jitburus

We thoroughly enjoyed our day with Oil. She was warm, friendly and very engaging with both us and our two daughters.

Oil not only guided us around the city, she also spent time educating us about Thai traditions and cultures which we all loved.

Thank you Oil!

Standlay B. reviews Waree ‘Apple’ Singhanart

Our day in Bangkok with Apple was far beyond any of our high expectations. Easy arrangements and excellent follow through and confirmations made the booking procedure painless.

Most importantly, our guide was exceptional! Apple’s amazing knowledge and enthusiastic willingness to share that knowledge with my husband and I (first time visitors to Bangkok) made our day with her one that will not be forgotten.

Bangkok is an amazing city, and I cannot think of a better way to get a wonderful taste of what it has to offer than with Apple…we could not have asked for more. And just to add one more thing… in addition to knowing the city like the back of her hand and speaking Thai (which was invaluable in our dealings with locals during our day), her English is SUPERB!

Apple is the best.

Jisel G. reviews Prayut ‘Yuut’ Rueangsaeng

My guide was Yuut.

He was very kind, helpful, and knowledgeable and was able to give me and my son a lot of insight about the culture and religious beliefs in Thailand.

Thank you so much!

Bryan J. reviews Prapaiporn ‘Peach’ Honghem

With my guide, Peach, a great day , amazing temple and palace, the lovely house of Jim Thompson, traveling along the river.

I recommend this guide which name is Peach for her happiness, kindness and knowledge.

Faye A. reviews Pudtipong ‘Jean’ Nawasornyuttana

We booked three days of touring with “Your Thai Guide” at the last minute and they were able to accommodate us. Our guides were Jean and Natt. Both very knowledgeable, reliable and friendly. They were always there when they said they would be. They arranged a driver and events outside the city for us as well as getting us last minute tickets to Thai kickboxing which was great.

They took us around using public transportation which worked out great. We were there during the protests and we felt very comfortable. Using public transportation made us more comfortable getting around on our own too.

They were always willing to make any changes to the day that we requested. They made our stay in Bangkok fun, productive and diverse. I would use them again any day! 5 stars from Fay

Allen L. reviews Prayut ‘Yuut’ Rueangsaeng

I was very fortunate to be able to book Prayut ‘Yuut’ Rueangsaeng at the last minute as a guide to Ayutthaya.

His knowledge of the history of the old capital of Ayutthaya is great, and he is able to offer insight that no other guide can, thanks to his 10 years as a Buddhist monk.

Yuut would be an excellent guide for anyone who plans on visiting any of the hundreds of temples in and around Bangkok due to his deep understanding of Buddhism, and I plan on hiring him again on my next visit to Bangkok!

Naomi W. reviews Pudtipong ‘Jean’ Nawasornyuttana

My husband and I used Guide Jean, who made our Thailand tour one to remember.

He was very knowledgeable and was flexible when we changed our initial itinerary.

I would highly recommend.

Colin H. reviews Prapaiporn ‘Peach’ Honghem

Peach was such an excellent guide for the perfect day in Bangkok.

She made sure I was able to fit in all the activities I wanted, and she was so knowledgeable about Bangkok history and culture.

It truly was like having a local best friend for a day.

I would highly recommend this tour for anyone, especially if they only have a short time in the city.

Carlotta P. reviews Waree ‘Apple’ Singhanart

We would like to thank APPLE, our private guide in Bangkok, for the lovely tour we got last week.

She had been able to accommodate every our single request, from the places we would like to visit to the food and refreshing beverages we needed on our way and in managing the time.

APPLE got a degree in history and it made her the best guide we could desire in visiting the National Museum and temples.

Apple is nice, gracious and very professional, we felt in good hands and pampered.

Next time we will go back to Bangkok we will going to ask for her again even to visit the historical sites around Bangkok.

Jelena K. reviews Charinee ‘Oil’ Jitburus

We had an absolutely brilliant tour, tailor made just for us with fantastic tour guide named Oil. She was very helpful, knowledgeable and pleasant overall. We had no problems getting the tickets, taxi, lunch or anything whatsoever, as she would take care of it.

Would definitely recommend her to anyone who wants to have great time and learn something new! Thank you Oil!

Rajanikanth M. reviews Waree ‘Apple’ Singhanart

Our guide who goes by the lovely name of Apple, was absolutely amazing. Post booking the trip, a mail was sent to me asking about the places I wished to see. While the trip organizers will organize the itinerary, it will be good to have your own view as well.

The tour was very well organised. We started the day with taking a river cruise to visit the Lad Mayom Floating Market. The cruise was filled with lovely sights of old houses, riverian lifestyle, farms and even a little episode of feeding huge fish that live in the river. The Lad Mayom market itself is a fabulous feast to the eyes with its food stalls, souvenir shops and bargain stores

Post this visit, we paid a visit to the Wat Pho and the Wat Arun temples. Apple made this trip very special and I must mention her especially. She chose a great place for us to savour authentic and lip-smacking Thai food.

While we aren’t avid shoppers, the trip ended with shopping at the MBK shopping mall. A day very well spent, filled with highlights

I would highly recommend this.

And thanks again, Apple.

Annie C. reviews Charinee ‘Oil’ Jitburus

My guide, Oil was exactly what I needed for this trip. Oil was very accommodating, and able to answer any questions someone like me who knew very little about Thailand’s culture and history. She was extremely attentive, and very personable. She seemed to understand my need intuitively – Never push too much, but never failed to mention what is possible. Oil helped many details without much fuss, so that each day was quite memorable in its own. We become so close, we have exchanged many fun facts about our background. In my options, this is the best possible cultural exchange anyone can share!

From my traveling experience, I understand the tour guide’s importance:  It can influence visitor’s perception and attitude towards the country. If that is reasonable assumption, then Oil had done a wonderful job of helping me to see Thai as a rich heritages of cultures, history as well most hospitable people nation I’ve ever visited. And how about the Thai cuisine? I had so much fun tasting various food with Oil! For that I thank Oil!

She was most professional, and knowledgeable, always on time. She was always very clear about the daily itinerary. Knew a way to save time and cost and she made an extra consideration to make me comfortable at all time.

I would highly recommend your company to anyone traveling to Thailand. As a matter of fact, I am already started to plan something this year or next, and definitely call you back.

Sarah J. reviews Pudtipong ‘Jean’ Nawasornyuttana

I would definitely recommend Guide Jean.

He was polite, knowledgeable, and friendly. Especially good if you’re trying to see and do a lot of things in a short period of time.

Delphine W. reviews Prapaiporn ‘Peach’ Honghem

For our first day in Bangkok, we booked a full day tour with our tour guide, Mrs. Peach. She picked us up at the hotel and during this amazing day she showed us the Grand Palace and the main temples of Bangkok.

Beside the historical locations, Peach gave us an excellent insight into the Thai way of living and the Thai culture. For lunch we visited a typical Thai restaurant with live music. And during the day we used all kind of transportation which are typical for this town, such as boat and tuc-tuc.

During the walks, there was plenty of time for asking questions about Bangkok, its history and the way of living of the “normal people”.

Christie S. reviews Prayut ‘Yuut’ Rueangsaeng

We just wanted to say thank you for a fantastic day with Yuut on December 31st, he was a fantastic guide and a great person.

We’ve learned so much from him and could not imagine going through the temples without him and his knowledge… it was a wonderful day.

Victoria O. reviews Pudtipong ‘Jean’ Nawasornyuttana

We had three days in Bangkok and YTG really helped us to make the most of them. From the first they were incredibly quick and helpful with the booking – I did most of it on my phone in Dubai airport using wifi! They sent us details and pictures of our guides in advance so we knew who we were meeting and when, really useful.

Over three days we saw everything we wanted to at a sensible relaxed pace – impressive given how much was on our list. All of the guides we used had great English and with their differing styles put us at ease instantly and built quick rapports.

Joker was incredibly knowledgeable and clearly a very experienced guide – very considerate of the heat and the fact that Bangkok was completely unknown to us. He was a fantastic guide, everything we could have hoped for and his photos are amongst our favorites from the trip.

Jean was really easy going and took us to the best Pad Thai restaurant we’ve ever been to. His knowledge was great and he was fabulous at answering all our questions.

Nettie was a delight – so full of enthusiasm and just what we needed on our last day. She was very helpful and seemed to take as much enjoyment in visiting the sites as we did which was a joy.

Regula H. reviews Prapaiporn ‘Peach’ Honghem

Absolutely worthwhile!

We had a great day with our guide Peach who was just excellent. She took us to the grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun.

The longboat trip on the channel was superb.

Peach had lots of nice ideas and surprises in between- we were happy to spend a day with here.

Thanks again, Peach !!!

Gregg C. reviews Waree ‘Apple’ Singhanart

Spent two days with Apple in Bangkok.

She was very receptive to what we wanted to see and put together a fantastic itinerary. She made sure we got,to spend as much time as we wanted at the locations we had outlined and added some great sights we weren’t aware of. The experience exceeded our expectations and it was clear she wanted to do everything she could to make our time in Bangkok a great experience.

She definitely succeeded. She was very knowledgeable about the sights we were seeing. She made traveling around Bangkok easy to navigate. She spoke exceptional English. We wanted to go off the beaten path to visit a shop where they make hand made metal bowls for monks.

It’s a Thai craft that is slowly disappearing. She helped translate the experience as the man in the workshop described his process. We mentioned wanting to purchase some authentic Thai silk. To our surprise she took us to a silk weaver who actually had worked with Jim Thompson and again translated his explanations of the weaving process as well as his experience with the silk industry when Jim Thompson had lived across the canal.

It was an amazing surprise and experience of a life time. We visited the markets and Apple did all the haggling for us getting us the Thai discount lol. It was a ton of fun. Couldn’t have asked for a better time.

Thanks Apple!

Dean E. reviews Prayut ‘Yuut’ Rueangsaeng

The only Thai guides to hire!

What can I say? Your Thai Guide provided me three days of absolutely spectacular service. It feels like you’re spending a day with an old friend.

I thoroughly recommend the services of Apple, Nina and Yuut. Each of them made me smile and laugh throughout the day and they clearly love the city they live in.

My time in Bangkok has been made so much better by Your Thai Guide.

Kap khun krap to Apple, Nina and Yuut. You are the best!

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How to hire and train amazing tour guides

By Kevin Tjoe — 4 Feb 2021

hiring   tour guides

Kelsey Tonner from the Be a Better Guide Project shares his tips and insights on developing great tour guides and leaders.

I am an amazing tour guide. And though you may not believe me, I am actually quite modest about it.

I’ve worked for over a dozen different tour companies, I’ve been in the industry for over 10 years and I founded the Be a Better Guide Project – an online hub for free tour guide training. With all of this experience, it would be a bit shocking if I was not at least a pretty good guide.

But here is the challenge that you face as a tour company: You know that your business relies on hiring and training amazing tour leaders – but how do you find, recruit and train people like me? Or perhaps the even bigger challenge: How can you transform your existing guide staff into outstanding tour leaders?

It can be done. I was not always an amazing guide – far from it. But here – in my humble opinion – are five important things you need to do.

1. Create a Killer Job Description on your Website

As we previously covered in the tour operator’s guide to hiring the best guides and staff, your Jobs or Careers area is a section of your site that is aimed at potential tour leaders, and it should stay online permanently. You will not be hiring permanently, but potential prospects will be visiting your site year-round and wanting to know what it is like to work for your company.

Spend some time creating a description and profile that excites and inspires potential employees! Is there a way you can show how fun it is to work for you? Perhaps a video on your company culture, or a fun staff event you throw every year?

Now get specific and answer these questions for potential candidates:

• What are the responsibilities of the job?
• How are staff paid?
• What are the hours of a typical work week?
• What interests/passions should a person have if they are considering applying?
• How does the application process work and what do they need to do to apply?

Build and develop an FAQ section for potential candidates and add the most common questions you are asked (e.g. Do I need a second language to apply? How does scheduling work? How much work can I expect and will the job be seasonal? What are the top skills of a tour guide within this business? etc.)

Remember, this section of your website will stay online and be your main recruiting tool. Be sure to indicate your hiring cycle and update the page when you are accepting applications. Want to be a real pro? Insert a field where interested people can leave their contact info, then inform them by e-mail when your next round of hiring begins!

When it comes to identifying the right people and essential attributes for the job, check out these 5 qualities to look for when hiring the best tour guides. And be sure to look out for relevant, positive references that will point you to your future tour superstars – after all, if they’ve left a great impression on previous employers, chances are they’ll leave a great impression on your guests!

2. Inspire, Train and Coach

Now that you have found some people with potential, take the time to properly set them up for success. Here’s great news if you’re wondering how to train your tour guides without days or weeks of dedicated formal training courses; mentoring and modelling are two of the most powerful ways you can inspire your tour leaders. Here’s how:

• Observing the pros at work Job shadowing is a great way to transfer expertise and skills in an intuitive way. Do you personally lead the best tours in your company and have in-depth knowledge of the tour area? Bring new recruits on a few tours delivered just the way you expect. Afterwards sit down and really get into the details of what you did, and why you did it. If things are overlooked, bring them up and discuss them. e.g. ‘Did anyone notice how I personally went over and welcomed everyone to the tour before we got started? Why do you think that’s important?’
• Supervising their first tours As new recruits become confident enough to lead their own tours, it’s time to put this new knowledge into practice. Use your more experienced leaders as mentors and have them observe newer guides as they’re leading tours to provide coaching and specific feedback. Tour guides at all experience levels can benefit from accompanied tours, to ensure your whole team is providing a consistently great experience in line with your business values and brand.

Want my favorite, one-page template for mentoring new tour guides? Grab it here and I’ll drop it right in your inbox! It is the perfect way to do periodic evaluations of your guides. It helps summarize their accomplishments and improvements, while highlighting where they can develop their skills. Give it a try! It’s quick, simple and effective.

3. Take Advantage of Online Training Resources

The best tour guides are the ones that are always improving. Ongoing training and growth should be a big part of your curriculum. Use sites like beabetterguide.com to share free training videos with members of your team. You can sign up here to get free training videos delivered to your inbox every week. Furthermore, you can also take advantage of job simulations to further train and assess your team on a periodical basis.

The web is full of amazing websites and blogs that cover all kinds of important subjects. If you find an inspiring article, share it with your team of leaders! Articles on customer service, dealing with angry guests, or how to go ‘above and beyond’ can help inspire new growth and development.

Want to know one of the more amazing blogs out there for tour companies and operators? You’re already on it! The Rezdy Blog has a HUGE back catalogue with all kinds of great tips and advice!

4. Always, Always, Always get Feedback from your Guests

As you’ll know, TripAdvisor is not the ideal place to get ‘constructive feedback’ on your guides. To prevent this from happening, ask for direct feedback right after the tour is finished: ideally before guests have time to rate you on TripAdvisor. This can be done by e-mail, a quick paper survey, an app on an iPad or simply by having one on one conversations with guests after the tour.

I highly recommend using an e-mail survey, either created using customer management software OR linking to a questionnaire created on Google Forms / SurveyMonkey. Ask guests to give their guide a numerical score of their overall performance, and then a separate score for their overall tour. This will allow you to help your guides improve, while still getting important feedback on your tour. Be sure to leave a space for comments under both guide and tour ranking.

To encourage more feedback, use these questions widely accepted in the service industry to solicit specific feedback:

• How would you rate your overall tour experience?
• How would you rate the overall performance of your leader?
• Would you recommend XYZ Company to a friend?
• How likely are you to take another tour with XYZ Company?
• What was your favorite part of the tour?
• What was your least favorite part of the tour?
• How could we have done better?
• Any additional comments?

Compile this data – but most importantly – share it with individual guides to help create a sense of ownership. Meet regularly to discuss low scores or areas for potential growth.

5. Get Feedback from your Guides

Now that you have found good people, coached them into amazing guides and have established an ongoing feedback loop – you need to keep these amazing leaders working for you! What is the best way to do that? Check in with them regularly and solicit specific feedback on you as their employer.

Much in the way that your tours should always be improving – you need to be improving as an employer as well. What are the biggest concerns of your guides? What do they complain about the most? What do they think is unfair? Where are they being frustrated or under-supported? Use surveys to draw out specific feedback and allow them to be submitted anonymously if your employees would prefer.

Summarize the constructive feedback and be appreciative. Improve and adapt your company wherever you can, and if you cannot, try and clearly explain why that is the case. It is important to empathize with your employees during this process, and really try and find a solution, or at least a compromise that will help solve their frustrations.

Supporting professional development

Everyone has goals for the future, and it’s worth speaking with your amazing tour leaders regularly to see whether they have professional objectives in mind. Perhaps they’d love to work up to a full-time position within your business, or perhaps they have ideas to shape new tours based on their special expertise. Supporting each individual’s professional development can keep that person engaged and passionate within your business, minimize your staff turnover and lead to rewarding results – it’s really a win-win.

Amazing tours have amazing guides.

That’s the bottom line. Recruiting, mentoring, evaluating, inspiring and supporting are all important elements of training a tour guide and building an outstanding team. But remember, you are not alone in all of this. Check out the Be a Better Guide Community to get in touch with other tour operators, tour companies and tour businesses, and access online training courses and resources on how to train your tour guides. We are constantly coming together to share best practices, and ultimately raising the bar on what it means to give an unforgettable tour!

Ready to take the step to boost your bookings with Rezdy? Start a FREE 21-day trial or book a demo today.

If you enjoyed this article then make sure to follow the Rezdy blog . There are a lot of marketing tools and tour operator tips designed with businesses like yours in mind.

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Our certified English-speaking tour guides, all based in Japan, will help you enhance your travel experience . Keikaku’s local guides are experienced and speak fluent Japanese and English. They will act as your interpret during the visit, offering meaningful insights to understand Japan and its inhabitants, connect with Japanese people, read signs and restaurants menus, or explain customs and cultural specificities.

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Booking a personal guide is possible from one year and up to 5 days before the desired date .

Important notice: for peak seasons (April, August and October) especially, we recommend booking at your earliest convenience to make sure a guide will be available during your travel in Japan.

Your guide’s financial autonomy is ensured within the scope of a classical guided tour: they will provide for their own transportation, meals and scheduled activities (temples, gardens, museum, etc.).

The tour duration is your choice (from half a day and up to 3 consecutive days, or evening tour) from ~$56 per person for a couple.

Be it a first or umpteenth trip, alone or in group, whatever your age. Groups and younger travelers can even get discounts :

All guides at Keikaku, regardless of their country of origin, are bilingual Japanese and English-speaking, certified, dedicated to our customers’ service and have been living in Japan for a long time.

They can answer precisely your questions and also assist you in most of procedures in Japan (buying train tickets, exchange JR Pass, send postcard at the post office or luggage delivery by private companies, etc.)

A Tailor-Made Experience

Before your arrival in Japan, the guide will design an “à la carte” (custom) tour, according to the preferences you indicated when booking. As soon as we have validated your booking, you will be able to discuss with your guide to create your personal sightseeing tour. On the tour day, the guide can meet you at your hotel if you wish so, at the time that suits you best!

Know Japan beyond clichés:

• Discover cities under a new approach , closer to their reality;
• Explore places hidden to tourists , good and sometimes original picture spots;
• Save time thanks to the locals’ experience who know Japan like the back of their hand;
• Enjoy your visit without worrying about planning or how to get there.

Step out the usual stereotyped guided tour and explore narrow streets, hidden gems, find the good restaurants that only appear on Japanese maps... Visit a Japan that no Western travel guide can describe!

Touring in the most popular places of Tokyo or Kyoto with our guides is naturally also possible

The tour you booked is completely private . You will not share your guide with unknown people, for more comfort and privacy.

You guide is dedicated to you or your group (couple, friends, family, etc.) and will offer suggestions during the tour according to the time of the year, the weather and your pace.

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The experts: travel agents on 20 ways to book a sustainable and sensational summer holiday

Keen to get away? Here is how to find a great deal, pick the perfect destination and support the local community

A holiday should be relaxing, but booking one can be a fraught experience, with days lost to endless scrolling, comparing reviews and prices. How can you be sure you are getting a good deal? Travel agents share their tips for the most affordable, sustainable and memorable trips.

1. Book like an agent

“Everybody views themselves as a travel agent and they can be up to a point,” says Paul Sharp from Newcastle upon Tyne, who operates as part of the Travel Counsellors network and has 30 years’ experience in the industry. He says the rise of budget airlines and online booking have led to people feeling confident about organising trips themselves. What is the one thing we should know when doing so? “It is a false economy to book things separately because you have no protection,” Sharp says. He gives the example of someone planning a trip to South Africa to watch rugby, who booked flights with the airline and hotels directly and rugby tickets elsewhere. The game was cancelled but the flights and hotel were non-refundable. If they had been booked together, the trip would have been covered under package travel regulations. “Book with a company you trust and know – there are a lot of sites that crop up and you don’t really know their provenance,” he says.

2. Be an early bird

“Planning in advance is always going to be better value,” says Helen Youngman , an independent travel agent and partner at 360 Private Travel , based near Norwich. “Late deals do exist, but a lot of hotels use ‘dynamic pricing’, which means prices increase as availability goes down. Flights are only going to increase in price the closer you get to the departure date because the fuller the flight gets, the more expensive it will be.” Sharp adds: “Don’t hang on for a last-minute deal because you could end up disappointed. Scheduled flights tend to be available about 11 months in advance, so that is the best time to book. Also, at that stage, a lot of hotels and accommodation providers will have early-bird specials.”

3. If you do book late, be flexible

Jessica Bollinger, who works in the Bristol branch of Danish travel agent Kilroy , which specialises in youth and adventure holidays, agrees that late deals are now something of a myth. “They are not unheard of, but with a last-minute deal there are certain things you’re not going to get. So you have to be really open-minded as to where you’re going to go,” she says.

4. Avoid peak season

The cheapest time to travel is always outside the school holidays, says Youngman, with Christmas and new year the most expensive times. Can you get a good deal if you fly on Christmas or New Year’s Day itself? Sometimes, she says, “but a lot of people are catching on to that trick”. If you have to go in the school holidays, be open to going somewhere off the beaten track. “Being clever about destinations is a good plan,” says Youngman. “In Europe, look farther east at places such as Montenegro, Albania and Georgia. And Morocco is a good summer destination for families.”

5. Midweek can be more affordable

“Midweek can be cheaper, it just depends on availability,” says Youngman. “A Thursday to Monday trip is going to be slightly more expensive than Monday to Friday, but all travel fares are based on availability, so the further in advance you can book, the better.”

6. Take out travel insurance when you book

A lot of people sort out their insurance at the airport, says Sharp, but it is best to do it as soon as you have booked your trip. He says: “Travel insurance doesn’t just cover you if you lose a bag or are poorly while you are away. It also covers you should you need to cancel for an insurable reason before you travel.” This includes illness or a bereavement.

7. On solo trips, consider a group tour

If you are travelling alone, “pretty much anywhere is possible”, says Youngman. “Embarking on your first solo trip can be daunting, which is why small group tours are an amazing way to travel with like-minded people. Some companies I work with are doing specialist female-only tours with visits to female entrepreneurs, co-operatives, makers and bakers. Small group tours are great because they handle all the logistics, include really immersive experiences and are safe. They pick you up from the airport, and from that point onwards, you’re travelling with other people and you’ve got an expert guide.”

8. Have a daily budget

“We advise setting a daily limit for yourself while travelling and then multiplying that number by the days you are away to get the amount to save for your spending money,” says Bollinger. “When you work it out like this, it makes a lot more sense in people’s minds, especially young people who don’t have much budgeting experience. It also keeps you accountable to yourself, so you don’t blow everything right at the beginning and then have nothing left for the end.” To stick to a tight budget, she says: “Cook food as you go along and use public transport instead of tourist buses – this will really help you save money.”

9. Consider all-inclusive options

“If you are going to spend a lot of time eating and drinking in the hotel, I recommend upgrading to an all-inclusive option if possible,” says Youngman, “especially if you’d like a cocktail or two and you’re grazing throughout the day. Otherwise it can all add up and when you check out it costs a fortune.” With active holidays such as skiing or safaris, she adds: “If you have the option to choose an all-inclusive package that includes the activities, food and drink, that is usually a more cost-effective way of travelling. Because sometimes they will really sting you on the extras and it will be more expensive.”

10. Work your way around the world

“A working holiday is a great way to fund your trip,” says Bollinger, who helps people book travel to Australia, New Zealand and Canada by organising working holidays so they can extend their stay. “A lot of jobs will be hospitality-related, but if you go to a more rural spot you can do farm work, and if you have qualifications already, sometimes those can be used. Working holidays in Canada are often at ski resorts near Vancouver, so you get the added benefit of being in a beautiful place to take advantage of the winter sports.”

11. Travel as sustainably as possible

“You can get to most places in Europe by train , so if you are open to slowing down and having a more relaxed itinerary, not only are you travelling more sustainably, but you have more time to absorb the culture surrounding you,” says Youngman. “Be good to the environment you are travelling to see.” She stresses the importance of limiting flights as much as possible, especially internally, and avoiding indirect long-haul options. “We highly recommend ‘open-jaw flights’, which means you fly into one destination and out of another, to limit the number of flights,” says Bollinger. “We also promote travelling for longer in one destination as opposed to trying to go to many in a short time, and travelling overland when possible, instead of taking multiple flights.”

12. Offset carbon emissions with a reputable company

When considering carbon from flights, says Thomas Power of Pura Aventura , a B Corp sustainable travel company in Brighton: “Don’t believe the airline schemes, or anyone else who promises you absolution for a few quid. While 85% of offset schemes may be worthless, there are high-quality carbon credits starting at about £20 a tonne.” These can be bought to compensate for CO 2 emissions. Companies such as “ C Level ​ ​help you at least take positive action to balance your impact”, says Power.

13. Think of responsible travel as a ‘fair exchange’

When travelling, says Power, consider: “What are we giving and what are we receiving? Is it a fair exchange? Is somebody getting something in return for what I am receiving in this transaction?” This applies to everything from “taking a cruise to Venice and not giving anything to the city, to going camping in Sussex and getting a supermarket delivery to your tent instead of going to the village shop or buying eggs from the house down the road”. This concept of “fair exchange” can be beneficial for everyone, he says, by giving you access to unique experiences. “In terms of the economy, the less money that leaves the village, town or city, the better,” he says.

14. Embrace the great outdoors

If you camp out “you are closer to nature than any other accommodation option”, says Brodie Farrow, of the online camping and touring travel agent Pitchup . There are many benefits to this, she says: “It is really good for mental health. It is also a much more sustainable option: the carbon footprints of outdoor holidays tend to be much lower than hotel stays, as people travel by car rather than flying and it promotes local produce and low-impact activities such as hiking in the surrounding area. The accommodation or pitches are much less carbon intensive than hotels, too. And you have a positive impact on the community that you are visiting: camping attracts a higher number of customers at a lower cost than hotels do, which can help to underpin the viability of local facilities such as the shop, the bar and takeaway, and that benefits the wider community.”

15. If you are camping-phobic, glamp

“There really is something for everyone,” says Farrow. “You can get glamping accommodation with four-poster beds if you prefer camping in luxury, or you can go really wild and remote, with no facilities, out on your own and back to nature. I think you would be hard-pressed to say that there is nothing that appeals.” Although glamping has become a fairly pricey option, she says: “Some types are much cheaper than others. You can get some ‘pod-only’ camping accommodation, where you bring your own bedding, starting from £15 a night.”

16. If the weather is terrible …

… And you are under canvas, “try to keep your bedroom a wet-gear-free zone”, says Farrow. “Store and dry wet stuff in your porch area rather than in your bedroom compartment. Protect your equipment by putting it in plastic bags or dry bags. Don’t let anything touch your tent walls or you will have soggy socks.” For activities, she suggests, “swimming in the sea, because you are wet already, or going to the pub”. If you are disappointed by the weather on a non-camping holiday, “as annoying as it is, try to embrace it”, says Sharp. Many people come back from their holidays exhausted because they try to see and do everything when they’re away. Instead, he says: “Have a lie-in, ask local people which is the best restaurant for a long, lazy lunch and, most of all, relax and recharge your batteries – it’s a holiday after all.”

17. For best value destinations, try …

“Go for Belgrade over Berlin,” says Youngman. “It has an underground culture scene very similar to Berlin 20 years ago.” For backpackers, Bollinger suggests: “Some places in Central America can be really affordable. Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala are good options for someone wanting to think outside the box.” Sharp says there are more affordable options in “Cyprus, Bulgaria, Turkey and Egypt, compared with Spain and the Balearics, which are becoming increasingly expensive due to cost of living increases”. If you are looking for a staycation, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Cornwall are some of the most popular UK locations on Pitchup, says Farrow, which can inflate the price. Locations such as Pembrokeshire and the Isle of Wight are cheaper.

18. For a trip of a lifetime that doesn’t cost the earth …

“North Macedonia is just amazing,” says Youngman. “Ohrid has beautiful cobbled streets, Ottoman architecture , fantastic food and wine and you can visit the most biodiverse lake in Europe.” Farrow says: “I camped at the foot of Ben Nevis last year before hiking up it. The weather was terrible but it was worth it for the unreal views.” While Bollinger’s most memorable trip was “Interrailing in Europe and finding a way to do things on my own. It was before smartphones, so it was a very interesting experience and built up my confidence in travelling.”

19. If in doubt, follow local people

“Live like a local person by taking local buses and eating in local spots,” says Bollinger. “It is going to save you money, and will also let you experience life in a different way.” Power adds: “People want to go to Peru but they never come back talking about Machu Picchu, they come back talking about the people they met. Buy local and connections will happen for you. In the absence of interaction with your host community, the things you see are just wallpaper.”

20. And remember: you get what you pay for

“If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is,” says Sharp.

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6 Times You Should Leave a Tip While Traveling, Experts Say

Posted: July 23, 2023 | Last updated: July 23, 2023

Whether your travel plans revolve around sun and sand, hitting the ski slopes, or visiting a family member, you're going to need to budget for things like flights, accommodations, activities, meals, and more. Yet far too often, travelers forget to budget for one of the most important aspects of any vacation: All of the people toiling behind the scenes to make those special moments and memories possible.

That's why etiquette experts recommend that you always bring cash to tip for the services that help your travel plans go off without a hitch. In fact, they say there are six times you should always plan to tip while traveling—and you're probably forgetting at least one. Here's how to mind your manners on the road by tipping when you're supposed to.

RELATED: 6 Places You Should Never Tip, According to Etiquette Experts .

1 When you take the airport shuttle

You wouldn't think to tip a public bus driver, but the airport economy has different rules. Tipping your airport shuttle driver—even just two to three dollars per ride—is a simple and effective way to show your gratitude, on par with tipping your taxi driver after a short ride.

"These drivers move you around the airport effortlessly and should be rewarded for their efficiency. A tip thanks them for the excellent service," says Jules Hirst , founder and owner of Etiquette Consulting .

2 When you're helped by a porter or skycap

Three young asian traveler friends entering airport with happy face

Lugging heavy bags around the airport can be stressful and physically strenuous, which is no way to start a relaxing vacation. Thankfully, there are ways to check your bags upon entry, so you can breeze through the rest of the airport and kick off your journey on the right foot.

However, when you hand off your luggage—especially if you check your gear curbside—it's important to remember to tip your porter or skycap.

RELATED: 8 Airport Security Secrets TSA Doesn't Want You to Know .

3 When you stay in a hotel

There are few places where tipping is expected more than in a hotel. That's because, from the front desk attendant who fields your calls for more pillows to the housekeeping staff who grace your room with turndown service, there's no shortage of team members on staff working hard to make your stay enjoyable.

"The bellhop should be tipped for hauling your bags to your room. The maids should be tipped for cleaning your room. If you make use of the concierge service, you should tip based on the level of service received," says Hirst. Jodi RR Smith , founder and owner of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting , says you should also remember to include the room service staff, the valet who parks your car or helps to get a taxi, and anyone else who provides you with a notable service.

4 When you take a taxi or rideshare

When you close your eyes and picture your dream vacation, you may imagine cold drinks on hot beaches, exploring historic sites, or living in the lap of luxury at a serene day spa. While the transportation that shuttles you from one of those transcendent vacation experiences to another is probably the farthest thing from your mind, these are exactly the moments that can make or break the experience by stoking or soothing your stress.

For more travel tips sent directly to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

5 When you hire a tour guide

Hiring a tour guide is a great way to get an insider experience of any new place you visit. They know the sites, the activities worth trying, and the history of the place—meaning you'll be able to make the most of your vacation. Hirst says that you should always plan on tipping your tour guides for leading the tour and providing a memorable experience.

Unsure how much to budget for? Most experts recommend tipping between 10 and 20 percent of the cost of the tour.

6 When you receive services you tip for at home

When you're in vacation mode, you may have a heightened awareness of all of the travel-related tips you'll need to dole out. Yet Hirst says it's important not to let everyday tipping fall by the wayside as you explore your new surroundings.

"Even though you're traveling, you still need to tip for services that you would normally tip in your day-to-day life," she tells Best Life . "The barista at the coffee shop, the server at the restaurant, and the valet attendant all still need to be tipped while you are traveling. Unless local customs say otherwise, services you tip at home still need to be tipped while traveling."

Smith adds that by researching the tipping culture of any international destination, you can avoid an embarrassing oversight. And remember—though tipping courtesies vary widely from place to place, you're far more likely to offend by forgetting to tip than by tipping when you shouldn't.

Read the original article on Best Life .

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First-timer’s guide to Hawaii: 14 days, four islands, five flights, three rental cars and two missing hiking poles

• Updated: Apr. 18, 2024, 9:34 a.m. |
• Published: Apr. 18, 2024, 9:26 a.m.

Spectacular Waimea Canyon on Kauai, one of the highlights of a 14-day tour of the state. Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com

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HONOLULU, Hawaii – Fourteen days, four islands, five flights – a lot could go wrong, I feared, as I planned my first-ever trip to Hawaii.

I’m happy to report that almost nothing did.

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• Real Estate

Posted: 18/04/24

A Guide to Buying Property in the US as a Foreigner

Author: Lucy Kirkpatrick

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About the author :

Foreign investment in the United States real estate market is a significant force, with overseas buyers spending $53.3 billion on homes in 2023 alone. Since 2009, this investment has reached a total of over $1.2 trillion. Among the favoured destinations for foreign investors, Florida stands out, capturing 23% of all foreign real estate investment in the country.

The US rental market attracts international investors interested in passive income and portfolio diversification. Short-term rental properties, like vacation rentals and Airbnb listings, present opportunities for discerning investors to capitalise on thriving tourist hotspots in the US, whereas long-term rental properties offer stable cash flow and tenant stability.

However, entering the US real estate market as a foreign investor demands a nuanced understanding of regulations, tax implications, and market dynamics. This guide to buying property in the US as a foreigner aims to help investors navigate these complexities and make informed investment decisions.

Factors Influencing Market Trends:

Interest Rates

Fluctuations in interest rates impact mortgage affordability and housing demand, with lower rates typically stimulate housing activity. Currently in the US, inflation is expected to ease, starting the year at around 4% and gradually falling to approximately 2.7% by year-end . As more attractive mortgage deals hit the market, experts are predicting a surge in housing market activity.

The impact of lower mortgage rates must be cautioned, as more buyers entering the market will send competition soaring and raise already high home prices in the US. In light of this, now may be the ideal time to make a move.

Regional Variations

Within the US, real estate markets vary significantly across regions. Where you choose to invest will depend on your preferences and investment strategy, but it is also important to consider the region’s market history and growth potential.

Within coastal cities, properties often command higher property values and rental yields due to strong local economies and demand from international buyers. A key example of this is Miami, which currently holds the title of the nation’s most competitive rental market, presenting lucrative opportunities for property investors.

Financing Options

Typically, many real estate transactions in the US involving foreign buyers are closed using cash only. However, foreign investors do have access to various financing avenues.

Overseas buyers can access mortgages, typically obtained from US banks or lenders, although these usually require higher down payments ranging from 20% to 40% of the property’s purchase price. They are also typically more difficult to approve due to the investors’ lack of US credit history. Both income verification and credit history requirements will vary based on the lender and the investor’s origin country.

Alternatively, foreign investors have access to private lenders: an alternative financing option with more potential flexibility in lending criteria, albeit with higher interest rates and fees. Private lenders can offer quicker approval and funding, but thorough due diligence is crucial to understand any associated risks.

Documentation and Compliance

When buying property in the US, foreign buyers will need to provide various documents, including proof of identity, proof of income, and proof of affordability. It is important to note that buying property in the US does not grant residency or immigration status. Foreign property owners should also be aware of tax obligations, such as property taxes and potential capital gains taxes upon selling. However, these taxes do vary by state, so it is important to research before purchasing.

Buying property in the US as a foreigner offers investors significant opportunities for wealth creation and portfolio diversification. By having a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, legal and regulatory considerations, and financing options, foreign investors can navigate the complexities of the US real estate market with confidence and maximise their returns.

Seeking assistance from real estate specialists can further streamline the investment process and ensure compliance with all requirements. Get in touch  to speak to one of our consultants about your next step to owning a home in the US.

  Contact us today to secure your perfect property.

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London Marathon 2024: Where to watch, route, start time, rail strikes and celebrities to look out for

The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Swap your sambas for sneakers and get warming up that cheer voice. Britain’s biggest marathon, the London Marathon , returns to the streets of central London this weekend and it’s set to be the greatest yet. More than half a million people are set to take on the world-famous 26.2-mile course — a new record (the previous was set in 2019) — and many thousands more are set to turn out to cheer them on.

If you managed to secure a place in the running equivalent of Glastonbury, you should probably buy a lottery ticket and watch out for lightning (apparently just four per cent of applicants actually get a place, according to new data). If you weren’t lucky enough to nab a spot this year, you can still revel in the buzz and drama of race day. Bonus: no blisters. Folding bike brand Brompton is offering free bike hire to anyone supporting so you can whizz to as many cheer spots as possible. Just head to the brand’s hire stations at East India, Broadgate and Regents Place.

From the hottest support spots and celebrities to look out for, to free food and Brockwell Lido dips for finishers, here’s everything you need to know.

When is the 2024 London marathon?

Sunday is race day and conditions are looking good, with mild temperatures, gentle winds (finally!) and lots of sunshine.

The elite and wheelchair races start from 08:30am, and the mass participation waves will kick off between 10:00am until 11:30am.

Where to watch

For cheer-squad novices, there are two rules for supporting: download the official London marathon app so you can track your runner, and plan ahead. The route starts in Blackheath and winds its way past many of the capital’s most iconic sights before ending on The Mall, so prepare yourself for some shoulder-barging if you want to see your runner (and your runner to see you).

The most popular cheer spots are at the Cutty Sark (mile 6), Tower Bridge (mile 12), Canary Wharf (mile 18), the Tower of London (mile 22), the London Eye and Big Ben (mile 25) and Buckingham Palace (mile 26), but you might have a better chance of wiggling your way to the front of the crowd if you pick a different spot. Miles 9 to 12 around Rotherhithe and Bermondsey are a good option if you want to give your runner a much-needed pick-me-up early-on, and miles 14 to 21 around Limehouse and Canary Wharf are a great base if you want to see your runner multiple times without having to walk too far.

That said, you might not need to walk at all. Thanks to Brompton’s special marathon day treat, supporters can bag themselves a free folding bike for getting around town. Just email [email protected] with your runner’s bib number and you’ll receive a special code. The three hire stations with access to the race route are East India Station, Broadgate, and Regents Place. For those with disabilities, the accessible cheer points can be found at Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Rainbow Row (Butcher Row), Tower Hill and Victoria Embankment.

See above for a map of the route on Strava. And here’s our list of the best pubs, bars and restaurants along the full 26.2-mile route.

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No self-respecting British event would be complete without a train strike. Mercifully, there are no Tube strikes planned for Sunday, but if you’re taking part and have friends or family travelling into London from the Midlands or the north, they’ll need to plan ahead.

Strike action will affect the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) network with no service on Saturday 20 April, the day before the race, and reduced service on the day itself. Although strike action shouldn’t affect London trains, do note that there are planned engineering works and closures on the Elizabeth line, Waterloo & City line and the London tram on race day itself.

How to watch on TV and live stream

If you can’t make it into the capital for race day (or fancy a lie-in), you can still enjoy the excitement on TV.

The BBC will be broadcasting the whole thing, with live coverage on BBC One from 08:30 to 14:15, before moving to BBC Two from 14:15 until 15:00. If you miss it, you can watch highlights on BBC Two from 18:00-19:00 and online on BBC iPlayer.

Which celebrities are taking part?

There’s something ever so slightly satisfying about watching your favourite celebrity grinding it out for 26.2 miles, looking a little less polished than they do on Instagram.

The race always attracts big names, with this year’s stars including the comedian Romesh Ranganathan, who’s running for suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM); The Woman in the Wall actress Ruth Wilson MBE, who’s running for Alzheimer’s Research UK; and ex-Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston, who’s running to raise awareness for charity The Big Issue.

Special mention goes to Eastenders stars Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick, who’ll be running as their characters, Honey and Jay, for a special episode of the soap. The storyline will follow the fictional pair as they run the marathon in memory of Jay’s wife, Lola, who died of a brain tumour in 2023. If you spot them, make sure you’re smiling: you could just make your debut as an extra in the background of the show.

Who are the other stars of the amateur race?

Fancy dress is a quintessential part of the London marathon. Remember the guy who spent five days completing the course dressed in a deep sea diving suit?

Conservation charity Save the Rhino claim to have pioneered the whole thing, when a runner completed the race wearing a 12kg rhino costume in 1992, and this year it’s debuting a new first: the marathon’s first ever rhino wheelchair costume, which will be worn by member of Wales Rugby League wheelchair team, Martin Turner.

You might also spot Dave 'the Running Telephone', who’ll be running his 25th marathon in aid of this year’s race charity, Samaritans, dressed in a telephone costume.

This year’s oldest competitor is 91-year-old David Picksley from Croydon, who has run an impressive 13 marathons to date. He’ll be walking the 26.2 mile route to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK in memory of his sister, who he lost to the disease in 1974.

Where to go after

If you’ve got any energy left to celebrate after the finish line, fitness studio Barry’s Bootcamp will be hosting a marathon after-party at its SW1 studio. Think live music, refreshments, and free protein shakes for anyone who shows their medal. It's free to join, but you do need to sign up in advance.

They’re not the only ones handing out freebies for medal-holders. Greene King is offering a free drink of Guinness (or Guinness 0.0%), G&Ts and soft drinks to all finishers who show a medal at one of its London pubs between Sunday and Tuesday; Lush is offering medallists its all-new Cold Water Soother Epsom salt cube (worth £6) and Wiccy Magic Muscles solid massage oil (worth £8); and Franco Manca, Bills, Meatliquor and The Real Greek are among those handing out free food.

Recovery-wise, Fusion Lifestyle is offering all finishers a free swim at Brockwell Lido or North London Park Road Leisure, and online yoga site Live Yoga Teachers is offering free livestreamed recovery classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday after the race. Just send in a picture of you at the finish line with your medal and they’ll send you a voucher.

Deliveroo and Boots have also teamed up to launch a ‘ Marathon Roo-covery’ hub featuring everything from bath salts and Compeed blister plasters to protein bars. Just use the code ROOCOVERY10 for £10 off all Boots products on Deliveroo.

When does the ballot open for next year?

If you find yourself getting sucked in by the joy of the event (don’t say we didn’t warn you), there’s not long to wait until you can try your luck for a coveted place.

The London marathon 2025 is set to take place on Sunday, April 27, and the ballot opens this Saturday, April 20, the day before this year’s race. It’ll close on Friday, April 26, so you have just under a week to throw your name into the ring. Here’s to making it into that lucky four per cent.